1290 am

[Samcanadian]

Since this discussion was starting to take over the Pre Game thread, I figured it deserved it's own.

First off, we all obviously now of Jay Richardson's departure from the Big Show on 1290...and by all accounts so far it was amicable and a mutual decision. I'm not sure if we'll ever know exactly why, but as it stands the remaining two main guys are Troy Westwood and Matt Leiblelbleblblebl.

I'm curious to see if they make changes to the Post Game show crew, i.e. Rick Ralph and Adam Wazny. I think Rick Ralph, while a bit of a negative nancy, does a decent job being the straight man for all of the crazy callers after a game. Adam Wazny doesn't bring much to the table at all and seems to relish being the "realist" i.e. Ultra Debbie Downer all the time. They've already got one guy like that on the program...they could find someone with a little more energy. Heck, all things considered I'd rather see Jay on the Post Game show than Wazny.

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[allan5oh]

Whatever you dont bring back ray neufeld.

 

[ajmidd12]

Willing to bet 90% of the "crazy callers" are members of this board since after a loss most are crying end of the world and for so-and-so's head.

I agree, while his opinions differ sometimes, Rick Ralph does a fine job of dealing with the fools.

 

[Moe Mantha]

Bummer that Jay is gone. I really liked that morning show.

More Matt Liebl is a good thing - that guy is incredibly knowledgeable about nearly every sport.

As for the post game, Rick Ralph does do a fantastic job handling oddball callers. Love listening to him. Wazny, on the other hand, offers absolutely nothing but negativity. Wazny could win the dream home in a hospital lottery, and would complain about the property taxes he would have to pay.

 

[Prot]

Willing to bet 90% of the "crazy callers" are members of this board since after a loss most are crying end of the world and for so-and-so's head.

I agree, while his opinions differ sometimes, Rick Ralph does a fine job of dealing with the fools.

You do realize you just inadvertently called members of this board 'fools' right?

Seriously though I personally don't think most of the callers are from this board. There's 2-3 real loons that seem to call every show and say the most ridiculous stuff. I think those guys give the majority a bad name.

I never found Jay and myself in agreement on a lot of things but he was definitely great at moderation in a radio setting. He kept it rolling, light hearted and had a good sense of humour.

They will have to replace him because they really don't have something like that in the studio right now.

Good luck to Jay.

 

[Samcanadian]

Willing to bet 90% of the "crazy callers" are members of this board since after a loss most are crying end of the world and for so-and-so's head.

I agree, while his opinions differ sometimes, Rick Ralph does a fine job of dealing with the fools.

I used to get bugged at how he always sounded condescending and demeaning...but I realize that's how he sounds with everyone regardless of their input.

Also, the callers are always on either extreme end of the spectrum and you almost need a somewhat boring guy to be the one answering the calls.

 

[Gump Hasek]

Here is something I don't understand; how can any of you listen to the Big Show - given that Troy Westwood is on there? I'm quite sure that his football commentary might indeed be great, but having a punter pontificate all winter about a sport he clearly knows little about is frankly embarrassing. Westwood is the reason I don't even bother to tune into 1290 during the early hours. Half the time he can barely finish a sentence, his diction is so stilted much of the time.

I understand he is popular with many here and he might be a great guy in person; can't for the life of me understand his popularity on that program though. Perhaps 1290 would be best served to have someone with an actual hockey background in that position during the winter and move Westwood instead into football-based programming?

Also, those callers... yikes.

 

[SCP Guy]

The news about Jay sucks (He was really good)......wonder what went down?????

 

[Samcanadian]

Here is something I don't understand; how can any of you listen to the Big Show - given that Troy Westwood is on there? I'm quite sure that his football commentary might indeed be great, but having a punter pontificate all winter about a sport he clearly knows little about is frankly embarrassing. Westwood is the reason I don't even bother to tune into 1290 during the early hours. Half the time he can barely finish a sentence, his diction is so stilted much of the time.

I understand he is popular with many here and he might be a great guy in person; can't for the life of me understand his popularity on that program though. Perhaps 1290 would be best served to have someone with an actual hockey background in that position during the winter and move Westwood instead into football-based programming?

Also, those callers, yikes.

We've all heard former hockey players talk about hockey. They're boring and spew the same boring hockey lingo we've heard a million times before. If they aren't a member of the Jets or doing analysis during a live sports broadcast...I don't want my talk show guys to be hockey players.

That being said, I do agree that it is a bit hard to listen to Westwood when he starts to speak about hockey as if he's coming from a place of superior knowledge, never mind Baseball. As long as he qualifies his outrageous statements I don't mind it, but once in a while he needs to check himself and realize that he's only an ex punter/placekicker.

 

[Moe Mantha]

The news about Jay sucks (He was really good)......wonder what went down?????

I have no idea, but for a while now I've wondered how he's managed early mornings on 1290 with late nights announcing at Jets games. I would be exhausted!

 

[cheswick]

We've all heard former hockey players talk about hockey. They're boring and spew the same boring hockey lingo we've heard a million times before. If they aren't a member of the Jets or doing analysis during a live sports broadcast...I don't want my talk show guys to be hockey players.

That being said, I do agree that it is a bit hard to listen to Westwood when he starts to speak about hockey as if he's coming from a place of superior knowledge, never mind Baseball. As long as he qualifies his outrageous statements I don't mind it, but once in a while he needs to check himself and realize that he's only an ex punter/placekicker.

I'm pretty sure he played for the Fury too.

 

[Jetty]

No more Jay? Sorry to hear this! He made the big show somewhat legitimate. (outside of their guests)

I can tolerate Westwood when he has good Bomber insight but otherwise it is like listening to my Mom talk about the Jets. I really wish TSN 1290 would up their game in the mornings and deliver a more professional panel. I don't care much for tomfoolery, would rather see them focus on other Canadian NHL stories if it is a slow Jets or Bombers day. At least that is what I would expect from the TSN brand...

 

[Darth Handsome*]

I didn't like Jay at first but he grew on me over time. Westwood's inability to express himself....and such....is pretty funny. Leibl is a cheese-ball who I have no interest in listening to, and his voice is perfectly suited for a mime artist.

 

[veganhunter]

Westwood - for all his flaws at least has a knowledge of how pro sports works

Richardson - absolute bonehead offers nothing other than taking the opposite opinion of the other two guys at every opportunity

Wazny - I hope he stays for a long time he offers a realist opinion the last thing we need is another talking head pumping the Jets tires at every turn and further deluding the fans to believe the team and every player on it is better than they really are

 

[Samcanadian]

I'm pretty sure he played for the Fury too.

I had completely forgotten about the Winnipeg Fury until you mentioned that

 

[Samcanadian]

Wazny - I hope he stay for a long time he offers a realist opinion the last thing we need is another talking head pumping the Jets tires at every turn and further deluding the fans to believe the team and every player on it is better than they really are

...Name all the talking heads that pump the Jets tires unnecessarily?

 

[Tdoe42]

Not a fan of Westwood and I used to like Libel before he started to talk all the time. Jay was the one with a decent knowledge of the game and was a funny guy so created a good dynamic.

Now its hard to listen to the only show I really like anymore is H&L I wish they still had Jim Rome on it was nice to get some different sports talk for a few hours so you didnt hear the same stories all day

 

[Samcanadian]

Not a fan of Westwood and I used to like Libel before he started to talk all the time. Jay was the one with a decent knowledge of the game and was a funny guy so created a good dynamic.

Now its hard to listen to the only show I really like anymore is H&L I wish they still had Jim Rome on it was nice to get some different sports talk for a few hours so you didnt hear the same stories all day

Jim Rome's fine as long as you like hearing about the NBA and LeBron James during the winter.

 

[Tdoe42]

Jim Rome's fine as long as you like hearing about the NBA and LeBron James during the winter.

You know what man.... I do.

I get Non Stop hockey talk and its nice to break it up for a bit but they mostly talk about NFL and im a big fan so its nice

In fact I listen to Vancouver's secondary sports station Team 1410 its like the old Sports Radio 1290 Mike n Mike in the morning and Rome in the afternoon

 

[veganhunter]

...Name all the talking heads that pump the Jets tires unnecessarily?

Pretty much all of them, not lately of course but that would be hard to justify. Go back and listen to some of the archived podcasts and some of the ridiculous proclamations about this team.

The constant pumping of Noel's tires I find sickening as well, he was an ok coach at best, he had some funny soundbites, but these guys act like we fired Scotty Bowman after a 15 year coaching tenure with Jets.

 

[Samcanadian]

You know what man.... I do.

I get Non Stop hockey talk and its nice to break it up for a bit but they mostly talk about NFL and im a big fan so its nice

In fact I listen to Vancouver's secondary sports station Team 1410 its like the old Sports Radio 1290 Mike n Mike in the morning and Rome in the afternoon

I love NFL talk and I don't mind college sports talk...

but brother, as soon as they start talking about the NBA I tune out so hard it's not even funny.

In three more weeks it'll be all NBA, all the time.

 

[Samcanadian]

Pretty much all of them, not lately of course but that would be hard to justify. Go back and listen to some of the archived podcasts and some of the ridiculous proclamations about this team.

The constant pumping of Noel's tires I find sickening as well, he was an ok coach at best, he had some funny soundbites, but these guys act like we fired Scotty Bowman after a 15 coaching tenure with Jets.

Well...it's not Rick Ralph or Adam Wazny. It's DEFINITELY not Hustler and Lawless. It's maybe the guys on the morning show once in a while, based on a winning streak...but they don't take long to flip the switch and be debbie downers either, so I hardly count them as tire pumpers.

So who is it? The illegal curve guys? Not really. They're pretty fair and balanced, imo.

 

[Tdoe42]

I love NFL talk and I don't mind college sports talk...

but brother, as soon as they start talking about the NBA I tune out so hard it's not even funny.

In three more weeks it'll be all NBA, all the time.

It an easier way of following the story lines without having to watch the games

 

[Samcanadian]

It an easier way of following the story lines without having to watch the games

lol good call. Wake me up when the Raptors have made it to the post-season.

 

[Jetty]

Rick Ralph does a great job. He has years of experience in the TO sports radio market and it shows.

H&L is hands down the best sports radio show in this market. Hustler makes the show and Gary has grown leaps and bounds VS the CJOB days.

For some reason I find it tough to listen to Matt Liebel. He tries hard, I just find it tough to take him serious.